From dumping ground to danger zone, residents in Yona say an abandoned structure is sparking fears of illegal activity and squatters. Mayor Brian Terlaje is sounding the alarm, pushing for action before the situation gets worse.

The island’s mayors are tackling community concerns head-on. In Yona, Mayor Brian Terlaje is warning that an abandoned structure is now a threat to public safety. "I’ve always been a patient person and I’ve always been a person that wants to strengthen partnerships...but when the neighbors are concerned, this is beyond me; I have to step in. I have to make sure of the safety of my Yona residents," said the mayor.

The site is the old St. Francis campus - built after Typhoon Paka, and now a gateway to trouble in Yona. What was once a school building has turned into a magnet for dumping, squatters, and suspicious activity. Terlaje said, "They utilize the front areas so enough is enough. I’ve been reaching out to so many agencies to help mitigate — and we want to move forward in providing the constituents an alternative."

Mayor Terlaje says the impact is far-reaching — even preventing children from using a nearby playfield. "On my left hand side this is actually a tee softball field that the residents have usually used for children, so we’re trying to figure out who owns the land, who owns the structure. We continue to wait."

With reports of junk cars, stray dogs, and unsafe loitering, Terlaje invited Park Police, OHAPP, and his staff to survey the site. They agreed to keep lines of communication open and explore clean-up and enforcement options.

He said, "As we sit and wait, the residents of this area feel unsafe. It’s inviting for more junk cars to be dumped, it’s inviting for stray dogs to come around, and it’s inviting for suspicious activity."

Terlaje is calling for a joint response — and a permanent fix.

"Bringing this to light of the island, I hope our island leaders can see what’s going on and assist the people of Yona," he concluded.